Match-box



(No Model.)

` J. B. MORGAN MATGH BOX.

' No. 428,623. Patented May 27, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES B. MORGAN, OF DAVENPORT, IOVA.

MATCH-Box.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 428,623, dated May 27, 1890.

l Application tiled February 3, 1890. Serial No. 339,017. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES B. MORGAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Davenport, in the county ot' Scott and State ot' Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a'full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to match-boxes; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the match-box with the lid open, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modilication of the match-box with the lid open.

A is the match-box, which is provided with a front portion a, secured to one end and to the two sides and leaving` the opening a for the matches to be taken in and out of.

Bis the lid, provided with the hinge Z9, which connects it to the box, and preferably to the edge of the front portion a.

C is a hook or catch secured to the lid, and D is a spring secured to the box-side and provided with a thumb-button d on the end of the stem d', which passes through a hole in the sideand is secured to the spring. Then the lid is closed, the hook engages with the spring and the lid is prevented from opening.

E is a spring secured to the inside of the box and adapted to press against the lid when closed, so that the lid will fly open suddenly when the catch is released by pressing the button.

F is a piece ot sand-paper or other similar rough substance, which is removably attached -to the inner side of the lid. This sand-paper is slid between the recessed guides f and is retained by the edge f of the hinge-plate and the narrow ledge g at the end of the lid. This sand-paper can be renewed as often as necessary; but it cannot come out of itself. Its position on the inside of the lid renders it always available for use, and it does not get worn away or clogged up by being carried in the pocket.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the lid forms the whole front of the box and is hinged to its side. One ot' the guides f also forms the hinge-plate, against which the openingspring presses. The retaining catch or hook engages with a depression g in the side of the box, and is released by pressing the side inward, the elasticity of the metal being sufiicient to permit it to act as a spring.

What I claim is- The combination, with the box portion provided with the front a and opening a', of the lid fitting into the said opening and pivoted at one end to the said front by the projecting hinge-plate f and provided with the ledge g at its opposite end, short guides f Yupon each side for holding the removable scratchtablet, a spring-catch for holding the lid closed, and a spring for automatically throwing open the lid when the said catch is pressed, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES B. MORGAN. Witnesses:

H. B. EAELE, NV. M. CHAMBERLIN. 

